Image: City of Fresno · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
Chandler Municipal Airport to Add 29 Executive Hangars by 2028
Chandler City Council approved a lease with Vesper Aviation for new executive hangars, addressing long waitlists and boosting local aviation infrastructure.
The gist
Chandler Municipal Airport greenlights 29 new executive hangars to meet growing demand, with completion expected in 2028.
Continuing coverage
All Business Aviation →- Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet Offers Ultra-Cheap Ownership Compared to Chartering Business Jets
- Chartering a Boeing 747 Costs $25K-$40K Per Hour in 2026 for Large Passenger and Cargo Needs
- Embraer debuts Phenom 300EV light jet with Garmin Emergency Autoland and upgraded range
- Embraer Launches Phenom 300EV Light Jet With Autoland and Enhanced Payload
- Palm Beach International Airport Renamed to President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9
The Chandler City Council unanimously approved a major development at Chandler Municipal Airport, greenlighting a ground lease for 29 new executive hangars slated for completion by 2028. The deal with Vesper Aviation’s subsidiary CHD Curtis East LLC allows development on nearly five acres of undeveloped land along the airport’s northern boundary. This project is designed to relieve the ongoing aircraft storage shortage that has plagued the airport for years, offering new facilities for sale or lease to general and business aviation operators.
Set to spread across 113,124 square feet, the planned hangars will be housed in four buildings featuring a range of sizes to accommodate various aircraft types. Standard hangars measuring approximately 2,750 square feet will target owners of piston-engine aircraft and very light jets, while larger units exceeding 7,600 square feet will cater to turboprops and business jets. This variety aims to support Chandler’s diverse aviation clientele, addressing needs from small personal planes to large corporate aircraft.
The lease agreement runs for 30 years, with an option to extend for an additional decade, and stipulates that Vesper Aviation must complete at least 16 hangars within the first two years after the agreement takes effect. This aggressive timeline reflects the city’s intent to rapidly increase available aircraft storage capacity to meet increasing demand. Consequently, the full hangar development is anticipated to be operational by 2028, significantly expanding Chandler Municipal Airport’s facilities.
Aircraft storage has been a longstanding challenge at Chandler Municipal Airport, which currently reports 100% occupancy of city-owned hangars and covered tiedowns. The city’s published waiting list includes applicants dating back to 2013, illustrating persistent demand growth over more than a decade. In addition, over 125 privately owned hangars exist on airport grounds, though availability is intermittent and does not fully satisfy regional needs.
Ryan Reeves, the airport manager, emphasized the chronic imbalance between demand and supply, noting that aircraft storage in the surrounding East Valley has outpaced available facilities for decades. Reeves highlighted that the partnership with Vesper Aviation will bring advanced, world-class infrastructure directly within Chandler, reinforcing its status as a regional hub for general and business aviation.
The new hangar project also benefits the city financially. The agreement specifies that Chandler will receive 1% of the sale price whenever a hangar changes ownership or whenever a long-term prepaid rental agreement is finalized. This revenue stream ensures ongoing municipal returns from facilitating enhanced aviation infrastructure, supporting the airport’s operational and maintenance budgetary needs.
Vesper Aviation is already accepting pre-lease and pre-purchase inquiries, signaling strong market interest and advancing the project's momentum. The anticipated availability of modern hangars designed to accommodate a wide range of aircraft sizes will attract pilots and businesses seeking premium storage options. This addition is likely to bolster the regional economy by supporting aviation-related commerce, service providers, and business aviation activity.
Chandler Municipal Airport’s expansion initiative aligns with broader trends in growing demand for general aviation infrastructure nationally. As business aviation and recreational flying continue to increase, airports like Chandler face pressure to provide sufficient storage and operational facilities. This project represents a targeted, proactive investment to keep pace with evolving market requirements while enhancing the airport’s competitive position in the Greater Phoenix area.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the scope of the new hangar development at Chandler Municipal Airport?
- The project includes 29 executive hangars totaling 113,124 square feet across four buildings on about 4.8 acres, accommodating piston aircraft to business jets.
- When is the new hangar development expected to be completed?
- The full development is expected to open in 2028, with at least 16 hangars required to be completed within 24 months of the lease taking effect.
- How does the City of Chandler benefit financially from the new hangar project?
- The city receives 1% of the sale price upon hangar ownership changes and from long-term prepaid rental agreements, providing ongoing revenue from the development.
Read more
All Airports →
American Airlines Bans Bare Feet Onboard As Stated in Contract of Carriage
American Airlines' Contract of Carriage already bars passengers from flying barefoot or wearing offensive clothing, but some travelers still need the reminder. Also JetBlue's first class seat moving toward installation, why airport food costs so much, Houston Intercontinental's renovated Executive Club, and American's latest "premium" service gaps.
Air Canada Faces Backlash Over Losing Passenger's Husband's Ashes and $200 Voucher Offer
An Air Canada passenger has accused the Canadian flag carrier and Star Alliance founding member of an 'offensive' compensation offer after the airline lost her checked bag that was transporting, among other things, her late husband's ashes. Twyla Shannahan was flying with the national airline from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta to St. John's International (YYT) in Newfoundland.
US Citizen Detained by ICE at Delta Gate Due to Mistaken Identity
A U.S. citizen boarding a Delta flight from Atlanta to Las Vegas says ICE agents handcuffed him at the aircraft door after mistaking him for a British man with the same name and birthdate. Delta says it does not control law enforcement decisions, while ICE says the encounter was targeted and private. Airport data sharing can now turn domestic passengers into easy targets before officers verify they have the right person.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Begin $2.5B Renovation of S Concourse in 2027
International travelers passing through Seattle will soon have a different experience passing through the S Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA). According to officials from the Port of Seattle, the concourse will be getting a $2.5 billion renovation , transforming the 1973-era facility into a more modern space. Work is slated to begin in 2027. "Today's authorization to move forward with the S Concourse Evolution builds on the generational investments we are making at SEA to improve the passenger experience," Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins said in a statement. "The project will add critical seismic, structural, and building systems upgrades to improve long-term passenger circulation as well as operational efficiency." The plans do not include adding more gates because there isn’t sufficient room to expand between the main terminal and the airfield. Instead, the plan calls for repurposing the former customs area that was vacated in 2022 when the International Arrivals Facility opened. Airport officials said the remodel will add 150,000 square feet to the facility, including a new Upper Concourse Level, improved dual-level boarding operations for select gates, and an increase in options for dining and shopping, in addition to more passenger lounges. The present building was designed more than 50 years ago, and passenger needs have evolved, said SEA Airport Managing Director Wendy Reiter. "The existing building is over half a century old, making it challenging for us to meet our goals of providing the best possible service to our travelers and tenants—this is a necessary upgrade,” she said. “As we've done in previous Upgrade SEA projects, we're being innovative by building up and not out. We're mindful of the fact that we have one of the smallest footprints of any major U.S. airport considering our passenger volume." "The design solution for the S Concourse Evolution project carefully balances required resiliency improvements to the existing structure and systems, increased efficiency for aircraft operations and building services, and modernization of the interior to enrich the traveler experience," said Kevin Keady, AECOM West Region business leader of Buildings + Places. "The design is inspired by local, indigenous concepts combined with pragmatic enhancements that will achieve greatly improved passenger service levels and meet the high standards travelers are accustomed to at one of the world’s busiest airports. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with SEA airport on this exciting project that will benefit the region for the next 50 years." The Process According to Port officials, the project will be completed over the next eight years so as not to disrupt flight operations or create inconvenience for travelers. The goal is to have only three of the 12 gates impacted by construction at any time. In order to make up for the gate closures, a temporary S Annex east of the facility will be built to support ground boarding operations. The goal is to have the project completed by 2034. Construction began on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 1942 at Bow Lake just north of what is now King County Airport Boeing Field (KBFI). Community leaders realized that landlocked KBFI had very little room for expansion because of the Boeing plant and local neighborhoods. In addition Bow Lake sat an elevation of 423 feet msl as opposed to KBFI at 17 feet. The higher field elevation makes KSEA less susceptible to fog, which hampered flight operations as instrument flight as we know it today was still in its infancy. The first runway was completed in 1944. Commercial air service began in 1947, with the first passenger terminal opening in 1949. Today the airport has on average approximately 55 international flights departing each day. Multiple airlines offer nonstop flights to Asia, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East.
The Daily Touch & Go
The day's best aviation news in your inbox. Free, no spam.